Illuminated multicolor display device

ABSTRACT

An illuminated display device includes a plurality of side-byside longitudinal sets of alternately oppositely inclined reflector panels converging to apices, the apices of each set being laterally aligned with the troughs of adjacent sets, a plurality of side-by-side transverse sets of alternately oppositely inclined reflector panels interweaving the first sets, and a translucent screen extending along parallel to the plane of the apices, and being illuminated by substantially reflected light. Periodically energized and deenergized electric bulbs of different colors are positioned in the dihedrals defined by the reflector rear faces and project light onto the screen by way of the front faces of corresponding registering reflectors. One or more of the reflector front faces may carry indicia.

United States Patent [72] Inventor Herbert Gesner, III

789 W. End Ave., New York, N.Y. 10025 [21] Appl. No. 782,308 [22] Filed Dec. 9, I968 [45] Patented July 20, 1971 [54] ILLUMINATED MULTICOLOR DISPLAY DEVICE 10 Claims, 3 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S.Cl 40/130 B, 350/97 [51] Int. Cl G09f 13/12 [50] Field ofSearch 40/130 B, 130.1,132 D, 132 A, 133; 350/97, 101, 299. 300, 306, 292

[56] References Cited I UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,570,884 H1926 Ford 40/132 X 1,786,033 12/1930 Smith 40/132 (A) FOREIGN PATENTS 654,478 12/1937 Germany 40/132 D 398,647 9/1933 Great Britain 350/109 Primary Examiner-Robert W, Michell Assistant Exam iner-Richard Carter Attorney-Howard C. Miskin ABSTRACT: An illuminated display device includes a plurality of sideby-side longitudinal sets of alternately oppositely inclined reflector panels converging to apices, the apices of each set being laterally aligned with the troughs of adjacent sets, a plurality of side-by-side transverse sets of alternately oppositely inclined reflector panels interweaving the first sets, and a translucent screen extending along parallel to the plane of the apices, and being illuminated by substantially reflected light. Periodically energized and deenergized electric bulbs of different colors are positioned in the dihedrals defined by the reflector rear faces and project light onto the screen by way of the front faces of corresponding registering reflectors. One or more of the reflector front faces may carry indicia.

PATENTEU JUL 20 mm SHEET 1 0F 2 ATTORNEY ILLUMINATED MULTICOLOR DISPLAY DEVICE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to improvements in display devices and it relates particularly to an improved apparatus for the production of multicolored displays of static or changing appearance, substantially by reflected light.

Many forms of multicolored display devices have been proposed and employed but these generally possess numerous drawbacks and disadvantages. They are expensive, complicated and unattractive, particularly when applied to large areas, and possess little versatility and flexibility. Moreover, they are of limited application, difficult toinstall and maintain and otherwise leave much to be desired.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved display device.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improved illuminated multicolor display device.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improved changing multicolor display device, illuminated by reflected light. I

A further object of the present invention is to provide a changing multicolor illuminated display device which displays a message and which may be rapidly adjusted and modified.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide a display device of the above nature which may be supported in any desired position, can be of any desired length, is easily serviced and maintained and is characterized by its versatility, adaptability, ruggedness, low cost and attractive appearance.

The above and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from a reading of the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment thereof.

In a sense the present invention contemplates the provision of a display device comprising a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally extending first groups of successively opposite longitudinally inclined first reflectors having forwardly facing reflecting surfaces, the reflectors of each successive pair of said first reflectors converging forwardly toward a corresponding apex and delineating a corresponding rear first housing, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending second groups of successively oppositely transversely inclined second reflectors extending across said first groups and having forwardly facing reflecting surfaces, the reflectors of each successive pair of said second reflectors converging forwardly toward a, corresponding apex and delineating acorresponding rear second housing, and. light sources disposed in a plurality of said housings, the reflecting surfaces of each of said groups being exposed to said light sources disposed in the housings in the other of said groups through the ends of the respective housings.

According to a preferred form of the improved display device the individual reflectors are plates converging forwardly to form dihedral angles preferably of about 90, the converging adjacent pairs in each group being mutually spaced along their bottom edges which are secured to a flat baseplate. The reflector pairs of adjacent groups are offset so that the apices in one group are in lateral medial alignment with thebottom edges of the reflector pairs of adjacent groups. The longitudinal and transverse groups of reflectors are arranged in an interwoven pattern and electric light bulbs of different colors are positioned within each dihedral angle.

behindthe corresponding reflectors and the light therefrom is reflected by the respective adjacent cross reflectors to an overlying translucent screen. Theindividual electric bulbs are cyclically energized and deenergized in a programmed'or random manner such as by providingthermally actuated flasher membersv in eachbulb socket or employing flashing type bulbs. One-or more of :the reflectors carry designs or messages on their face which are projected-onto the screen.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary plan view of a section of a display device embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2-2 in FIG. 1, and

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view thereof.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As used in the specification and claims, forward refers to the direction towards the screen being illuminated, and rearward refers towards the base.

Referring now to the drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the reference numeral 10 generally designates the improved display device, which includes a baseplate 11 of suitable material, which may be horizontal, vertical, or inclined, as desired so that the display device 10 formed may be located along a ceiling, wall, display board, or, if properly constructed, it may form part of a floor. A plate 12 is superimposed on and mounted to the plate 11 and is provided with regularly spaced apertures 13 whose arrangement will be hereinafter set forth, the baseplate 11 carrying conventional electric bulb sockets 14 which register with respective apertures 13.

There are provided interwoven longitudinally extending groups 16 and 17 respectively of spaced pairs of oppositely inclined reflector members 18 and 19. The reflector members 18 and 19 of each pair converge upwardly to an apex 20 to form a dihedral angle, for example of about the reflector member 18 and 19 preferably being opaque and having their outer surfaces reflecting faces. The upper edges of the reflector members 18 and 19 of each pair are suitably joined and their opposite lower edges are suitably secured to the mounting plate 12. The bottom edges of adjacent reflector members of successive pairs in a group thereof are spaced as at 21 to provide clearance for the apertures 13 between adjacent reflector member edges.

The reflector member pairs in adjacent longitudinal groups 16 are longitudinally offset so that the reflector pair apices 20 in a group 16 are in medial transverse alignment with and at a raised level relative to the interpair spaces 21 of the respective flanking groups 16, the apices 20 of alternate groups 16 being coplanar and in transverse colinear alignment. The reflector groups 16 and 17 are relatively interwoven. The reflector member pairs in adjacent transverse groups 17 are transversely offset so that the reflector pair apices 20 in each group 17 are in mutual longitudinal alignment with and at a raised level relative to the interpair spaces 21 of the respective flanking groups 17, the apices 20 of alternate groups being coplanar and in longitudinal colinear alignment.

The reflector pair apices 20 lie in a common plane parallel to baseplate 11. The bottom edges of each pair of reflector members 18 and 19 are located along the plate 12 within the space delineated by the dihedral angle of the flanking pairs of oppositely extending reflector members. Lying in the plane of and resting on the apices 20 is a screen 22 which is preferably a colorless translucent plate.

Releasably engaging each of the sockets 14 is an electric light bulb 23 which is medially positioned in a corresponding space delineated by a pair of upwardly converging reflector members 18 and 19. The bulbs 23 are preferably of different colors and the light from each bulb 23 is reflected by respective reflector members 18 and 19 which are aligned with the open ends of the space delineated by the dihedrally related reflector members disposed between the aforesaid reflector members, to the screen 22. The bulbs 23 are cyclically individually energized and deenergized either randomly or in a related programmed fashion in any suitable manner. For example, the bulbs 23 may be of the flashing type or thermally actuated automatic flashing buttons of known and conventional construction may be positioned in the sockets 23. In the alternative, the bulb sockets 14 may be connected through a suitably programmed switching network to a source of energiiing current.

One or more of the reflector members 18, 19 may have a legend, or indicia 24 applied to its front face which indicia may be opaque or translucent, or transparent members, or coatings differing in color, or reflective properties from the reflector surface. A complete legend or message may be carried on a single reflector or different letters, numbers or symbols or parts ofa message may be carried by each ofa plurality of reflector members.

in operation, the light from the bulbs 23 are reflected by corresponding end flanking reflector members 18 and 19 onto the light-transmitting screen 22 to produce on the front face of the screen 22 an illuminated multicolored display of highly attractive appearance. The display is continuously changing with the energizing and deenergizing of the individual bulbs 23. Where a message 24 appears on the front faces of one or more reflector members 18 and 19, such as shown in FIG. 3, by nonreflect ive means, such message appears on the screen 22, likewise changing in appearance with the energizing and deenergizing of respective bulbs 23. As an alternate, the surface of selected members 18 and 19 are made light absorbing with only the message made reflective, so that the message is reflected on the screen.

It should be noted that the reflector members 18 and 19 need not be planar but may be curved and that each pair or each group thereto may be integrally formed from a continuous strip of material, for example, of a thermoplastic material or the like, or by an obvious modification of the specific structure described, the two interwovengroups 16 and 17 may be integrally formed as a unit. Moreover, the reflector members 18 and 19 may be colored or colorless and colored filters may be positioned between bulbs 23 and confronting reflector members.

The screen was shown disposed along the apices of the reflecting members, but it could be spaced from the apices if desired to achieve a more dispersed appearance. The screen is illuminated essentially by reflected light only. It is sometimes desirable to coat the rearward surfaces of the reflecting members with a light absorbing material.

While there has been described and illustrated a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is apparent that numerous alterations, omissions and additions may be made without departing from the spirit thereof.

What I claim is:

l. A display device, comprising a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally extending first groups of successively opposite longitudinally inclined nontransparent first reflectors having forwardly facing reflecting surfaces, the reflectors of each successive pair of said first reflectors converging forwardly toward a corresponding apex and delineating a corresponding rear first housing, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending second groups of successively oppositely transversely inclined nontransparent second reflectors extending across said first groups and having forwardly facing reflecting surfaces, the reflectors 'of each successive pair of said second reflectors converging forwardly toward a corresponding apex and delineating a corresponding rear second housing, and light sources disposed in a plurality of said housings, the reflecting surfaces of each of said groups being exposed to to said light sources disposed in the housings in the other of said groups through the ends of the respective housings.

2. The display device of claim 1, including a translucent screen positioned forwardly of said reflectors.

3. The display device of claim 2, including copy disposed along at least one of said reflecting surfaces.

4. The display device of claim 1, wherein the apices of adjacent first reflector groups are mutually longitudinally offset and said apices of alternate first groups are in transverse alignment, and said second groups of reflectors are interwoven with said first groups with said apices of said second reflectors being disposed between said apices ofsaid first groups.

5. The display device of claim 1, wherein said light sources comprise electric lamps disposed in each ofsaid housings.

he display device of claim 5, Including means for periodically energizing and deenergizing said lamps.

7. The display device ofclaim 1, wherein each of said reflectors comprises a planar mirror, successive pairs of said mirrors converging to a forward apex to form a dihedral angle, the apices of said first groups of reflectors being disposed between the apices of said second group of reflectors and including a translucent screen positioned substantially along the plane of said apices, said screen being illuminated substantially by reflected light. 1

8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the rear edges of each pair of said mirrors is spaced from the proximate rear edges of adjacent pairs of mirrors of a corresponding group, and said light sources comprise lamps registering with said spaces between said mirror pairs and the apices of corresponding mirror pairs.

9. The display device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said groups is formed ofa continuous strip.

10. The display device of claim 1, including information carried by at least one of said reflecting surfaces. 

1. A display device, comprising a plurality of transversely spaced longitudinally extending first groups of successively opposite longitudinally inclined nontransparent first reflectors having forwardly facing reflecting surfaces, thE reflectors of each successive pair of said first reflectors converging forwardly toward a corresponding apex and delineating a corresponding rear first housing, a plurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending second groups of successively oppositely transversely inclined nontransparent second reflectors extending across said first groups and having forwardly facing reflecting surfaces, the reflectors of each successive pair of said second reflectors converging forwardly toward a corresponding apex and delineating a corresponding rear second housing, and light sources disposed in a plurality of said housings, the reflecting surfaces of each of said groups being exposed to to said light sources disposed in the housings in the other of said groups through the ends of the respective housings.
 2. The display device of claim 1, including a translucent screen positioned forwardly of said reflectors.
 3. The display device of claim 2, including copy disposed along at least one of said reflecting surfaces.
 4. The display device of claim 1, wherein the apices of adjacent first reflector groups are mutually longitudinally offset and said apices of alternate first groups are in transverse alignment, and said second groups of reflectors are interwoven with said first groups with said apices of said second reflectors being disposed between said apices of said first groups.
 5. The display device of claim 1, wherein said light sources comprise electric lamps disposed in each of said housings.
 6. The display device of claim 5, including means for periodically energizing and deenergizing said lamps.
 7. The display device of claim 1, wherein each of said reflectors comprises a planar mirror, successive pairs of said mirrors converging to a forward apex to form a dihedral angle, the apices of said first groups of reflectors being disposed between the apices of said second group of reflectors and including a translucent screen positioned substantially along the plane of said apices, said screen being illuminated substantially by reflected light.
 8. The display device of claim 7, wherein the rear edges of each pair of said mirrors is spaced from the proximate rear edges of adjacent pairs of mirrors of a corresponding group, and said light sources comprise lamps registering with said spaces between said mirror pairs and the apices of corresponding mirror pairs.
 9. The display device of claim 1, wherein at least one of said groups is formed of a continuous strip.
 10. The display device of claim 1, including information carried by at least one of said reflecting surfaces. 